Clark Air Base is in
Pampanga, 50 miles north of Manila and approximately 1,000 miles (2 hours flying time)
from Hanoi. In 1973, it covered 129,705 acres and is considered the largest U.S. Air
Force installation outside the United States. The base had a combined
U.S.-Philippine population of 40,000 approximately and the facilities of an American
city. It also included a modern 270-bed hospital considered one of the best in
Southeast Asia and a flight line capable of handling the biggest jet transports.

The welcome preparations for the POWs was called 'Operation Homecoming'.
There were approximately 2,000 military personnel assembled at Clark to bring the
prisoners home.

During their stay at Clark, the POWs were paired with
military escorts. After processing the POWs, they were flown to military
hospitals designated in the U.S. for family reunions and additional medical treatment.

C-141 plane that carried POW's from North & South Vietnam

Local people in Pampanga came to welcome the POW's.

POW routes to Freedom.- Hanoi
in No. Vietnam and Loc Ninh in So. Vietnam to Clark Air Base in the Philippines.